Home WebMail | Calgary | 16.4°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
Action News
  • World
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • Africa
    • Americas
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Contact
  • Breaking News
  • Latest Updates
  • Featured
  • Live
  • Live Now
  • ‘The shining star of our family’: R&B singer D’Angelo passes away at age 51
  • Control, choke points: The battle lines in southern Sudan
  • Tens of thousands rally in Brussels to protest austerity plans
  • GM takes $1.6bn hit as EV tax credit expires in US
  • US court rules Trump violated order by placing conditions on FEMA grants
  • Peace summit was a “Middle East wedding for Trump”
  • Dramatic day sees army unit claim power in Madagascar
  • French prime minister backs suspending unpopular pension reform law
  • CAS rejects Israel’s appeal to join artistic gymnastics worlds in Indonesia
  • Suspect in US arson attack at Pennsylvania governor’s mansion pleads guilty
  • Forever Chemicals: A Toxic Legacy
  • Supreme Court declines Alex Jones challenge to defamation judgement
  • Russia strikes Kharkiv hospital, UN convoy as Ukraine seeks US Tomahawks
  • IMF says AI investment bubble could burst, comparable to dot-com bubble
  • Mapping the rise in Israeli settler attacks across the occupied West Bank
  • Gaza journalist buried as brother is freed from Israeli prison
  • Gaza ceasefire tested as Israeli forces kill five Palestinians
  • ‘They could have killed me’: Protesters condemn state violence in Argentina
  • Who is in charge of Madagascar after President Rajoelina flees?
  • Colonel says military has taken charge in Madagascar
  • Freed Palestinian detainees allege torture in Israeli jail
  • Why has Dutch government taken control of China-owned chipmaker Nexperia?
  • Deadly storm batters Alaska leaving thousands displaced
  • Madagascar military says it seizes power, suspends institutions
  • Video: Opposition candidate declares victory in Cameroon election

Marawi in ruins after battle against pro-ISIL fighters

By Al Jazeera Published 2017-10-23 03:53 Updated 2017-10-23 03:53 Source: Al Jazeera

The Philippines has declared victory over supporters of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group in the southern city of Marawi.

Five months of urban combat left 920 fighters dead and cost the lives of 165 government soldiers and at least 45 civilians.

The government had teamed up with its former enemies from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in its attempts to snuff out the fighters.

Fighting ended when troops finally overcame pro-ISIL fighters, including foreigners, who were holed up in several buildings in the heart of the city.

Officials say martial law will continue to be implemented in the wider Mindanao area.

The end of the clashes gave way to scenes of a historic city in ruins with soldiers patrolling the gutted out and pockmarked remains of apartment blocks and houses.

Pictures taken after the battle reveal it devastating impact; buildings turned to rubble, cars dotted with bullet holes, and personal belongings and furniture heaped beside the shell of a row of houses.

More than 600,000 locals were displaced by the fighting.

The siege of Marawi and the later battle started when officials tried to serve an arrest warrant in May to Isnilon Hapilon, a commander in the Abu Sayyaf group, and Omarkhayam Maute of the Maute group. 

Instead of giving up their arms, Hapilon formed an alliance with the Maute Group and launched a bloody rampage in the city.

Hapilon then declared his allegiance to the ISIL group, drawing support from foreign fighters from nearby Malaysia and Indonesia.